World Bank provides $11.3 mn to support Congo’s response to the coronavirus pandemic

April 24, 2020:  The World Bank approved $11.3 million in financing from the International Development Association (IDA) to help the Republic of the Congo fight Covid-19 (coronavirus) and respond to public health emergencies.

The Covid-19 emergency response project has been launched to respond to the Congolese people's public health needs and step up government prevention, disease surveillance, and early case detection and confirmation action. This support will build screening and treatment capacities and health system preparedness and response, prioritizing cities hardest hit by the virus. The project will also scale up the national information campaign to slow the spread of the virus.

"We are providing immediate assistance to support the implementation of the national Covid-19 response strategy and ramp up prevention, health system preparedness and response, including coronavirus patient care," explained Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank country director for the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Burundi.

The World Bank Group is deploying up to $160 billion in financial support over the next 15 months to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.